Monday, March 29, 2010

Last week I went to Bologna, Italy to attend the SCBWI pre-Bologna symposium and the Children’s Book Fair. Here are a few things l learned:

1. Lauren Oliver (author of BEFORE I FALL) should sing on Broadway

I am beginning to suspect that Lauren is the Meryl Streep of publishing. You know, the type that can do everything (including walking in 6 inch heels), and do it enviously well? As we walked the streets of Bologna, Lauren broke into a rousing rendition of the The Little Mermaid’s Part of Your World and we sang Part of Your World (Reprise) together. Then we sat in her hotel lobby and drank French tea (packaged in cashmere sachets) while Daniel regaled us with stories of his childhood chasing rats (don’t ask).

Another day, Daniel, Ann and I met Lauren for dinner together with her agents Stephen Barbara (a rock star of publishing) and Hannah Gordon Brown. It was excellent food and conversation (see Lauren’s recap) if not a tiny bit frustrating to be sitting at a table with 2 of the 3 people in the whole world (besides Lauren) who have read Lauren’s forthcoming dystopia DELIRIUM and listen to them rave about it when I won’t get to read it for such a loooooong time. She did share some tidbits on her WIP (a middle grade fantasy) and it sounds amazing (of course)!

Lauren Oliver, me and Stephen Barbara

2. Some 12 year olds are not as innocent and sheltered as we would hope

Author Ellen Hopkins spoke at the SCBWI symposium and shared letters from her readers that would break your heart. She advised us not to write down to teens. Don’t sanitize your stories. YA is a hungry market, and what they hunger for is authenticity.

Ellen shared a startling statistic that she became aware of while researching TRICKS – the average age of a prostitute in the US is 12 years old. Not every 12 year old comes from a happy family, and even those who do may feel empty inside, and yearn for someone to understand what they are going through.

Ellen’s not afraid to court controversy in order to give her readers what they want. She talked about how Karin the Librarian won an author visit with her for her school in Norman, Oklahoma and how a parent forced the school to cancel the event on the eve of banned books week (the venue was changed). The story was picked up by the national news media, and sales of Ellen’s books soared.

Me and Ellen Hopkins

3. Richard Peck can do a hell of a “mean teacher” face

Author Richard Peck also spoke to us at the SCBWI symposium, and told us the reason he got into writing fiction at the age of 37 was because he realized he wasn’t reaching students the way he wanted to by being a teacher. Was it because his students were terrified of him? His “mean teacher” face does rival the famous author photo of Shel Silverstein…so it’s possible!

Here are a few nuggets of his wisdom:

- Stories should move in a straight line with hope at the end.

- Make your character jump in the deep end…you can protect or create a character, not both.

- Dialogue is best written standing up – it improves the pace. Get up and act out every one of your scenes.

- No one ever grows up in a group.

Richard’s new book, coming in October 2010, is called THREE QUARTERS DEAD. It is paranormal horror, a deadly serious story about those two inter-reacting killers: distracted driving and peer-group allegiance, a story about a girl with a cell phone in one hand and the steering wheel in the other.

4. You never know who you’ll see walking around the Bologna fair

Two years ago, Scott Westerfeld was the author-to-spot. This year, I saw Cassie Clare and Kristin Cashore. Though I didn’t get to chat with Cassie, Ann and I spent a few minutes with Kristin at her Italian publisher’s stand. When I gave her my card, she said she knew my blog (*squee*) and she tucked in into this fab photo album she had with her FULL of pictures of her new nieces.

5. If you want books, you better stay until the last day

Reps at the Bologna fair are so busy, they actually have appointments on the last day (unlike in Frankfurt). I saw beautiful copies of AS King’s PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ, Linda Gerber’s TRANCE, and Lesley Hauge’s NOMANSLAND, and I had to walk away from them. I did, however, get a copy of Mary Hooper’s new one FALLEN GRACE and Maggie Stiefvater’s LINGER.

6. Even though Italy & Germany are both part of the EU, you still need a passport to fly by plane between them

Well, not that Germany cares, since I managed to fly to Italy with no problem whatsoever. But when Ann took the earlier flight on Thursday, she called to tell me that they had checked her passport 3 times, and that Lufthansa reps told her one could absolutely NOT fly without a passport. So, I spent my last day in Italy on a train to Florence to visit the US consulate. I got to pay $100 to get an emergency passport with 3 months of validity (which of course means more headache later, when I have to get a whole new passport and German residence permit). The kicker? I was not asked even ONCE for my passport at the airport and boarded my flight without incident. Next time? I’ll bring my passport no matter what.

And guess what I have for you?!

I have a signed hardcover of Lauren Oliver's BEFORE I FALL and a signed hardcover of Ellen Hopkins TRICKS for one lucky reader anywhere in the world!

This contest will remain open until April 3o, 2010 at 11:59 PM CST. To enter, just leave a comment on this post that lets me know you've read at least some of it. "Filler" comments (i.e. "I want to win") will not be accepted as a contest entry. I'd also appreciate it if you'd tweet a link or post this contest in your blog sidebar. Thanks for spreading the word, and good luck!

This was a great post, and I an green with envy that you got to go to this and hang out with such amazing authors! I'm shocked by that statistic about prostitution. So sad. But there really is something about Ellen's books that speaks to teens, so she knows what she's talking about!

I love the last part of Richard Peck's nuggets of wisdom: no one grows up in a group. Oh, isn't it painful when we're reading a YA book and *feel* how awfully lonely these characters are? He's right though!

I flew through Linger, you're going to love it! I can't wait until I can talk about it!!!

(I would have commented even without the contest - as you can tell, I had lots to say - but feel free to enter me!)

I liked what Ellen Hopkins said about not writing down to teens. I can tell she doesn't after reading her books! I loved her books Crank and Glass, but I haven't gotten the chance to read Tricks. But I would LOVE to and review it on my blog. I would also like to review Before I Fall. I've heard nothing but good things about the book!

Thanks for the giveaway! I tweeted to help spread the word: http://twitter.com/Door2Wonderland/status/11268057217.

Oh, those books both look awesome, although I must confess I've seen a lot of buzz about Before I Fall & would especially love an autographed copy. ; )

And as far as your passport debacle: Isn't that the way of it? If you hadn't gone to the trouble of getting the passport, you would have had trouble leaving the country, right? Murphy's Law & all that. : )

Traveling can be tricky...except when it's not. Glad you got home without mishaps, and had such a fabulous (at least that's what it sounds like...) time in Bologna! I want a sandwich, just typing that name... *grin*

I'd also love to be entered for the two books! Thanks for the chance to win!

Oh when it comes to prostitution, most of them comes down to poverty. There's a lot of it in Toronto and many other parts within big cities in Canada. I need research on homelessness and it's pretty devastating.

That's tragic, about the child prostitutes. Then again, I doubt most of those children are hanging around the house reading books? I personally know quite a few 12-13 year olds who scarcely know what a prostitute is. Not that they need to be written down to, by any means, but they certainly don't need to be reading "authentically" detailed sex scenes, either. (I'm not saying that's what Ellen Hopkins was implying--just my own little tangential rant, I guess).

Oh my gosh, what a terrific event!! I heard Richard Peck speak at SIBA and he's a hoot. His new book looks like something totally different for him. Since I already have Before I Fall, I'm not going to enter.

You're so lucky you got to meet so many great authors! I read A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck - his new book sounds exciting, but really different from his previous ones!

I think I am green even on the bottom of my feet - I AM SO JEALOUS! ;o)

12? 12?!!! Wow. I recently participated in a writer/blogger Blog Scene entry and you had to write a MG love scene. Nothing explicit, but enough where your young MC knew what acts were occurring. This was not easy - to be able to stomach this type of scenario takes very special people. Especially in writing. I cannot imagine the reality of it.

Also, I am extremely jealous that you ran into Cassandra Clare...*sigh*

It sounds like you had a wonderful time on your trip, and got to meet some amazing people! And I have a hard time swallowing the fact that the age of the average US prostitute is 12. How can that be? That is just beyond scary and sad. And I love the fact that you did a duet of a Little Mermaid song with Lauren Oliver, that is wonderful!

Off topic, I would love the chance to be entered in your awesome giveaway. The books sound exciting!

I heard Richard Peck speak a few years ago at the Butler Children's Literature Conference in Indianapolis, IN. He is a fabulous speaker and very entertaining. I was surprised by the paranormal aspect of his new book, his books always seem so real to me, but I admit I am intrigued. I will definitely have to check it out.

Did Kristin Cashore say anything about any future books? I loved Graceling and Catching Fire and can't wait to read whatever she writes next.

1) I usually hate women who can look graceful in 6 inch heels, on principle, but I don't think I can hate Lauren Oliver.

2) So much of what Ellen Hopkins says is depressing (12! really?). I'm glad she talked about what Karin went through with that author visit though. Reading Karin's posts on the YALSA listserv was so disheartening.

Ha! I love the "mean teacher face" being a teacher myself. I have the "teacher voice" and it comes out sometimes when I'm not at school - like at the mall when kids are messing around! Not good. I also love his advice: "Stories should move in a straight line with hope at the end." That I will remember!

Hello Lenore...I am so jealous (like everyone else), but I need to know what you do to get to go to Italy!!

I am so excited that I just read your post - two reasons:1. I just got an ARC of She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott and I will use some of your criteria to review the book when I finish reading it.2. Tomorrow I am "attending" a webinar "Sensational summer reading: Programmin tips and titles for children and teens" and I might listen for your authors and ideas...helps me be more involved.

Authenticity is something I have heard mentioned frequently in relation to YA literature. It seems to be the more important aspect for teens. They want to be seen as "real" - and who doesn't?

Holy crap, my daughter is 12 so that statistic is frightening. I have some conflicted feelings about what she reads. She can certainly handle YA, but I find that she is really pretty turned off by foul language. She seems to enjoy the books that allow her to learn about growing up without all the trash thrown in. I love your synopsis! It sounds like so much fun! Please consider me for one of those books - thank you!

Going to school as a child and youth counselor was one of the most rewarding, hopeful, and devastating things I ever did. What some children and youth have gone through at such a young age really makes me grateful for pretty much everything in my life. I am glad you had such a great time!

What a great recap~! Richard Peck's been around awhile now, it doesn't surprise me he can do a good "mean teacher" face! And I love your remarks with your personal interactions with some of these authors that I've really come to admire! You got to see "Cassie" Clare! See pics! Take pics! What a wonderful time.Thanks for the opportunity to win.JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Wow! What an experience and it seems like you picked up some good advice. I guess you never really think that 12 year olds are so much older than they used to be. Sad thought. I like the fact about Lauren is the Meryl Streep, even though I am a little jealous;) I would like to be good at one thing:)I tweeted http://twitter.com/bangersis/status/11282221383email bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

It sounds like an amazing trip! I'm so glad you've had fun. And thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to get either of these books.

I'm particularly excited to hear that Delerium sounds like it will live up to everyone's high expectations. Just from reading about its premise, I was really excited about it (being a fan of dystopias and all), so it's great to hear that the few who've already read it are gushing. I can't wait!

I just want to say I'm SOOOOO jealous! I almost went to Bologna but wow, the costs were crazy from Korea. I love your fun stories and now I must go read Richard Peck because I didn't know he was a teacher!

I am well aware that the is a lot of human trafficking going on around the world and that it often involves very young children but it does seem to me that the average age of 12 sounds incredible. Do you know where this statistic came from ? If correct it would seem the US has a larger population of paedophiles than anyone has ever been aware.

What I found just as worrying was the issue of book banning that you mentioned. It is a very complicated question but my gut feeling is that banning something is not the answer to anything.

Wow I'm glad you had a fab time. Lauren Oliver + Dystopian= very happy me! I so wish I could talk to Kristin Cashore too! I am not shocked about the prostitution age, people should be way more aware of the problems going on in there own country. I'm glad Ellen promotes not writing down to teens!I would love Before I Fall!

TWELVE?!? Wow. I never thought about children that age being into prostitution. I wonder, was it a choice or were they forced into it?

I wish we had awesome book fairs here in Australia, but we don't. Or at least I don't know about any of them! I may just have to move to Europe to get in on some of this book fair action!

Why do you have to make appointments, and out of curiosity, how do you make them? Are there phone numbers for a reception desk, I wonder?

I would love to win either of those books as they both sounds lovley and as per usual, we probably won't get them in Australia for the next 10000 years.I'll leave a post about the contest as soon as I'm on my computer, as posting from the iPod touch is the biggest pain!

Sounds like you had a great time in Bologna! I'm sorry about the passport trouble, I've been told that all you need when you fly within the EU is an ID, but I'm always taking my passport with me to be on the safe side!

No surprise there that when a book gets media attention sales actually do soar (because people want certain books to be banned since they consider it an bad influence). I even dare say: that's the best thing that can happen to an author's book.

Think Salman Rushdie (Satanic Verses)or even Harry Potter

I've been meaning to read Tricks as well, although I have to admit I'm a little scared of what the book might offer ... Anyway, it'll be an change of reading material in any case ...

Should I win, either book is fine. But if you insist on me picking one book in particular then it's definitely TRICKS!

I've wondered at times if some of the books my own 12 year wanted to read were too mature, but then I remember how when I was that age, I was hooked on V.C. Andrews! I'd rather her read and have the knowledge than not read and be oblivious to world in all the forms it presents.

Wow! What an awesome trip!! I'm so jealous of all that great time you got to spend with those people!!

I don't know how I feel about getting too edgy with 12 year olds. I suppose I'm a bit of a prude that way. Not that I think there should be censorship, but personally, I still like to shelter my kids somewhat.

And yet...so much of the hardships of life I learned from books instead of personal experience. I'm thankful for that!

I've had "Before I Fall" on my TBR list for a while now. Now I shall have to add Ellen's books too!

First of all,I have to mention that I am super jealous that you got to spend time with all such wonderful authors!I loved that part about Lauren Oliver being Meryl Streep,who does all her work enviously well! Great comparison :)You are so lucky that such esteemed authors know about your blog! Am so happy for you..truly!Now for the not-so-fun part. Average age of a US prostitute is 12? That is so horrible!

Isn't it always the way that when you go out of your way to comply, get the emergency passport that costs an arm and a leg, you don't need it. I hate when that happens, but at least you had a good time and met some great authors.

It's very strange that you were never asked for a passport. I fly to Italy from Ireland all the time and I wouldn't be able to do it without one. It's either the passport of the national Identity card (for Italian citizens.)

Sounds like you had a great experience. I have to admit I dont think I could break into song like that, no matter who started it. And Three Quarters Dead sounds like it is going to be great. Looking forward to it.

I always think that authors are the celebrity in our book lovers' community and I wish that one day I could meet at least one of them. Though I have to admit that living in a country far away from EU/The States make it feel like it is impossible for this to ever happen. Sad, isn't it?

However, I am thrilled that you got to meet some of them. Reading your experience at such event give me some clue as to what usually happen during these conferences and also make me convince that authors are more approachable than the other celebrity out there!

Please include me for this contest. I'd really love to win Before I Fall since I've read tonnes of reviews and listen to too many people discussing the book but yet I know nothing of what it is all about. It is indeed frustrating.

Lenore, i would love to be entered, and would be happy then to review them myself over on my webpage, www.thediaryofabookworm.com

I have to say that I'm exremly jealous that A- you saw Cassandra Clare! and B- Kristin Cashore is familiar with your blog (but of course, who can deny finn and emmy!).Now I'm regretting not going to NYC for the April publishing convention.

Ughh, I don't know how you did it, walking away from all those highly anticipated titles. At least you got to hang out with Lauren a lot, though! She sounds like so much fun. I want to befriend an author who will burst out into Disney song in the middle of the street. I hope I get to meet Lauren one day. :)

Richard Peck does have a mean teacher face. I can't believe teh average age of prostitution in the U.S. is so young. It's very sad, but I'm glad Ellen is never afraid to not talk about those kinds of intense issues.

Nice giveaway, count me in!Yeah, you know, I was wondering myself about how the whole traveling without a passport worked! I live in Spain but come from Sweden so I do travel a lot in Europe, never dared to try it and probably wont now!

Jim Butcher said something similar to what Richard said. A story should move in a straightline... When I read a book that keeps me re-reading back pages just to comprehend what the author was talking about, I tend to give that book a low rating and avoid that author like the plague!

I would love to win Lauren Oliver's "Before I Fall" it's been on the top of my TBR list for a while now. I had no idea she had another coming out, dystopic fiction is my bread-n-butter these days.Also, I agree with Ellen Hopkins, YA shouldn't written light and easy, real life situations and honest discussions of difficult topics aren't just what teens want, I think it's what they need.

Twelve?That's insanely young. Goodness gracious... I mean, what's going on with this world? How horrible things must be for girls so young to sell themselves like that.AND the fact that "mature" men allow this? AND they pay for this?That is ridiculous!! Gross and sad. I'm going to try to help them as best as I can. Obviously, I'm not the only one horrified by this.

Well, at least you had a good time. Cassandra Clare and Kristen Cashore = amazing. :)Have a good day!

I've been reading quite a few posts about Bologna as of late. I wish I was there!

It's sad how people tend to ignore 12 year olds. When you're older, their problems don't really seem so important. You know they aren't because you have gone through worse, but what we need to do is realize that it's important to them now. If you don't even try to act like you care, they'll just feel alone and won't ask for help when they're going through something you deem as important. (Lol, can you tell I was one of the kids pushed off the radar?)

I know that a lot of people only see what they want to see. Average age of prostitution is 12? A bit surprising to me at first, but then if I think about it... it kind of makes sense. It's a sad sense to make, but there it is.

And I love Kristin Cashore, though GRACELING had too many "saids" for my taste. Lucky you for meeting her!

The 12 year old prostitute fact is crazy. I have a hard time just trying to compute the fact. It is especially hard to face when you have a relative close to that age. You just can't believe it could be possible for others so young to have to go through that kind of hardship.

I just wrote the longest comment ever and then I managed to erase it all. Arrgh.. Here we go again:

It sounds like such a great experience to go to a book fair!

I think that what Ellen Hopkins says about not sanitizing to teens are so very important. I feel that in Norwegian YA that is rearly done and I'm thinking that several of the Norweigan books would have been banned in the USA if they were ever to be translated(I cannot be sure of this of course but there seems to be a cultural difference on what's appropriate for teens to read).

It just broke my heart to read the avarage age of a prostitute in the USA. Over here the number is much higher, it is estimated that the average lies somewhere between 25-30 years.

Richard Peck was a new to me author, I'm heading over to Goodreads now to see if I can find his book there :)

I'm really excited to hear that Lauren Oliver has a dystopia coming out. I haven't yet read Before I Fall (I'll probably wait for the paperback release because it's not quite in my usual genre), but I've heard nothing but rave reviews.

Off-topic: I was referred to your Book Bloggers Behaving Badly post by The Story Siren. It's incredible you get to be in Germany and Europe so much! (Dual citizenship? I didn't quite understand the whole passport thing.)

I'm intrigued about writing dialogue on your feet... And I know a lot of people are surprised that prostitutes are so young, but I'm not. In some cases they're very, very young--like 6 and 7--especially in Nepal and India. A great site to check out is www.love146.org

I teach high school and it would shock people at what these kids know and how vulnerable some of them really are, or at what some of their backgrounds are. It does not surprise me that the average age of prostituion is 12 years old, but it does sadden me.

OMG! I'd have loved to be there! You are sooo lucky! BTw Richard Peck's new book, the cover is amazing! And finally.. 12? You are serious? It is awful! I remember some of the books they wanted to ban... they should leave books aside and try to help and solve this problem with prostitution!

I had not heard about the Karin the Librarian incident! That is absolutely shocking. I have a really, really hard time with censorship in schools. I do not understand how some people feel justified in taking away books from ALL students and not just their own children. Wow. Well, I love Ellin Hopkins books and plan to keep a fresh stock of them on my free reading shelves from students to enjoy! Thanks for the post and the giveaway!

I'm sooo jealous of you and your Bologna adventures. :)Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to read LINGER this summer.I just finished GRACELING and am about to start FIRE, so it made me smile to see you got to talk with Kristin.BEFORE I FALL has been on my radar for a while, but the library doesn't have it yet.So, yeah, I'd really appreciate winning a copy.I have a (not incredibly active but still existent) blog at whitneywritesablog.blogspot.com. You can check it out if you enjoy reading about strangers as much as I do, haha. :)

Goshh I'm so jealous you got to meet all these authors! I didn't know that fact about 12 year olds...that's really heartbreaking. I have a little brother who's about 12 and I would hate for anything like that to happen to him.

I'm so jealous you got to go and meet all those authors!and I'm shocked by that fact about 12 year olds...It's heartbreaking. I have a brother who's about 12...even though we fight I would hate for anything to happen to him.

I'd really like to win either of those books, particularly Before I Fall.

And I also agree with what Richard Peck did - becoming an author so that teens took him seriously. ANd it's sad that that fact IS true... maybe if all teachers were asked to become an author should become mandatory xD?

Oh wow, you're like a blogging celebrity, hehe! It must be awesome to hang around and bump into such fantastic authors ... I live in South Africa, so for me that seems pretty incredible, there's so many authors I'd love to chat to about their books, but I just don't want to bother them all with e-mails and such, because I'm quite sure that they are BUSY and have enough other people to deal with, lol.

As for the actual post, some major ups and downs going on here. 12! That's just immensely crazy...and depressing. D: But getting to meet Kristen Cashore for five minutes?! And Ellen Hopkins?! AND RICHARD PECK?! You are mad-lucky, girl! AND YOU'RE IN EUROPE!! If we could swap minds for a day, oh the things I would do...

Sounds like you had a great time in Italy. With some graet people, one who's a wonderful singer. I've never been anywhere you needed a passport.I am a followerI tweeted this giveaway:http://twitter.com/Romantic73

Hi there, I enjoyed reading about your time at the symposium and book fair. It sounded like a whole lot of fun, meeting authors and having meals with them!

It's also really sad to know about 12-year-olds having to resort to prostitution instead of attending school and enjoying a normal teenage life. It's a worldwide problem but it doesn't seem to be getting better. And some of them are only kids, way younger than 12 actually.

Thank you for the giveaway, I'd like to enter. I've also mentioned the giveaway at my blog.